Redmond Police evacuated the residents of 17 homes in southwest Redmond Monday when a homeowner found what appeared to be an elaborate explosive device on her front porch.

According to a news release issued by Redmond Police public information officer Captain Al Maich,officers responded to the home of Catherine Kral at 3206 W Pumice Avenue about 11:45 a.m., July 30.

Area residents were evacuated and SW Pumice Avenue was closed to non-essential traffic between SW 31st and 33rd Streets, Maich said.

The Oregon State Police (OSP) bomb squad was summoned from Salem and arrived on scene about 3:15 p.m. After visually assessing the device and seting off a small explosion to render it harmless, closer examination of the remains by the bomb experts revealed that it was “fake”, the Captain reported.

Area residents were allowed to return to their homes about 4:50 p.m., and the case remains under investigation.Anyone with information is asked to contact police non-emergency dispatch at 541-693-6911.